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Eurogamer Expo 2012 – Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

So my Eurogamer Expo experience beings this year, after the queue to get in, with the Metal Gear Rising Revengeance demo. Platinum games take on Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus. With a sideways step for the series Platinum have taken the action template they perfected with the masterpiece that was Bayonetta and transferred it to everyone’s favourite protagonist Raiden. Having said that, those familiar with the series will settle in straight away with a couple of lengthy cut scenes.

In terms of aesthetics they have expertly captured the look and feel of Kojima’s world of cyborg ninjas, giant nuclear robots, and all the craziness that comes with it. A great understanding of the series has been shown and fans should be happy with the result. Even those not comfortable with Raiden should be happy as he’s no longer the floppy haired rookie he once was having evolved into a gruff, one eyed cyborg ninja.

The important thing here is the combat (oh and thanks Mortal Kombat over the years you seem to have broken me as I spelt that with a k on first attempt) and this element certainly doesn’t disappoint. Like Bayonetta before it the combat is fast and furious. Attacks are split between fast and strong with variations coming from timed button press combos. The pièce de résistance however is the free cutting system. Activated by holding the L1button you aim to select your target with the left stick and pick and direct your sword strikes with the right stick. This allows you to pick and choose exactly how you slice up your foes. Take off a leg, then an arm followed by the head before chopping the torso in half and grabbing their spinal column before any of the pieces hit the floor.

Whilst from the brief time I had with the demo it seems the combat is not quite as in-depth as something like Bayonetta or DCM the immediate, visceral thrills cannot be denied. Leaping around and slashing foes was great fun. A word of warning though, I enjoy a challenge but even on normal difficulty it was quite a challenge so those who struggle with difficult games might want to reach for the easy option from the off.

Overall I was left even more excited about the finished product than when I went in. Those hoping for gameplay similar to the other games in the Metal Gear Solid franchise may well be disappointed but they would be missing the point. Revengance brings an action packed alternative to the Metal Gear series which should be given a chance by both those who are sceptical about the new direction and all the Raiden haters judging by this brief showing.